BACKGROUND: Rapid weight gain in infancy is associated with higher body mass index in later life, but its relation with individual body-composition components remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate associations between weight gain during different periods in infancy and later fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM). DESIGN: Body composition was assessed by using the 4-component model, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and anthropometry in 234 healthy UK children and adolescents (105 boys; x +/- SD age: 11.4 +/- 3.8 y). Early growth measurements were prospective in 52 subjects and retrospective in 182. Relative weight gain was calculated as change in SD score (SDS) during different periods. RESULTS: Relative weight gain from 0 to 3 mo and from 3 to 6 mo showed positive relations with childhood FM, waist circumference, and trunk FM that were equivalent to increases in FMI (FM/height(2)) of 0.24 SDS (95% CI: 0.04, 0.44) and 0.50 SDS (0.25, 0.75) per 1-SDS increase in early weight and that were comparable to the effect of current obesity risk factors. Relative weight gain from 0 to 3 mo was also positively associated with later FFMI (FFM/height(2)). Relative weight gain from 6 to 12 mo was not associated with later body composition. Associations were independent of birth weight, sex, puberty, physical activity, socioeconomic class, ethnicity, and parental body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: In this Western population, greater relative weight gain during early infancy was positively associated with later FM and central fat distribution and with FFM. Rapid weight gain in infancy may be a risk factor for later adiposity. Early infancy may provide an opportunity for interventions aimed at reducing later obesity risk.
BACKGROUND: Rapid weight gain in infancy is associated with higher body mass index in later life, but its relation with individual body-composition components remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate associations between weight gain during different periods in infancy and later fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM). DESIGN: Body composition was assessed by using the 4-component model, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and anthropometry in 234 healthy UK children and adolescents (105 boys; x +/- SD age: 11.4 +/- 3.8 y). Early growth measurements were prospective in 52 subjects and retrospective in 182. Relative weight gain was calculated as change in SD score (SDS) during different periods. RESULTS: Relative weight gain from 0 to 3 mo and from 3 to 6 mo showed positive relations with childhood FM, waist circumference, and trunk FM that were equivalent to increases in FMI (FM/height(2)) of 0.24 SDS (95% CI: 0.04, 0.44) and 0.50 SDS (0.25, 0.75) per 1-SDS increase in early weight and that were comparable to the effect of current obesity risk factors. Relative weight gain from 0 to 3 mo was also positively associated with later FFMI (FFM/height(2)). Relative weight gain from 6 to 12 mo was not associated with later body composition. Associations were independent of birth weight, sex, puberty, physical activity, socioeconomic class, ethnicity, and parental body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: In this Western population, greater relative weight gain during early infancy was positively associated with later FM and central fat distribution and with FFM. Rapid weight gain in infancy may be a risk factor for later adiposity. Early infancy may provide an opportunity for interventions aimed at reducing later obesity risk.
Authors: Lenie van Rossem; Elsie M Taveras; Matthew W Gillman; Ken P Kleinman; Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman; Hein Raat; Emily Oken Journal: Int J Pediatr Obes Date: 2010-10-28
Authors: Anders Bergström; Thomas Hjort Skov; Martin Iain Bahl; Henrik Munch Roager; Line Brinch Christensen; Katrine Tschentscher Ejlerskov; Christian Mølgaard; Kim F Michaelsen; Tine Rask Licht Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2014-02-28 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Katherine A Bell; Carol L Wagner; Wei Perng; Henry A Feldman; Roman J Shypailo; Mandy B Belfort Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2018-03-15 Impact factor: 4.406